Research
Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in the Punta Tombo colony, Argentina whose population is being impacted by climate change. Photo Credit: Center for Ecosystem Sentinels
Characterizing how animals respond to anthropogenic change
Our research seeks to understand how animals respond to natural and anthropogenic environments, which can have profound impacts on population dynamics, community interactions, and eco-evolutionary processes. We seek to understand the causes and consequences of these anthropogenic effects - including climate change, habitat degradation, and harvest. This understanding will help us to explain how and why wildlife will be affected by ongoing human-caused rapid change and target conservation and management interventions.
Related Publications:
Clark-Wolf, T.J., Boersma, P.D., Rebstock, G.A., and Abrahms, B. 2023. Climate presses and pulses mediate the decline of a migratory predator. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120 (3): e2209821120.
Clark, T.J., and Hebblewhite, M. 2021. Predator control may not increase ungulate populations in the future: a formal meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Ecology, 58 (4): 812-824.
Clark, T.J., Matthiopoulos, J., Bonnet-Lebrun, A.S., Campioni, L., Catry, P., Marengo, I., Poncet, S., and Wakefield, E.D. 2019. Integrating habitat and partial survey data to estimate the regional population of a globally declining seabird species, the sooty shearwater. Global Ecology and Conservation, 17: e00554.
A wolf chases magpies and ravens from an elk carcass near Soda Butte, Yellowstone National Park. Photo Credit: YNP
Connecting theoretical ecology to wildlife population dynamics
Complex population dynamics such as cycles, chaos, and alternative equilibria are often thought to be only present in small, fast-reproducing animals like insects or rodents. Our research seeks to examine the ubiquity of these theoretical phenomena in large, slow reproducing wildlife, like ungulates and carnivores. Understanding these complex dynamics will reveal the underlying ecology and predictability of population dynamics for wildlife management.
Related Publications:
Clark, T.J., Horne, J.S., Hebblewhite, M., and Luis, A.D. 2021. Stochastic predation exposes prey to predator pits and local extinction. Oikos, 130 (2): 300-309.
Clark, T.J., and Luis, A.D. 2020. Nonlinear dynamics are ubiquitous in animals. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 4 (1): 75-81.
An introduced Patagonian grey fox (Lycalopex griseus) on Weddell Island, Falkland Islands. Photo Credit: Bugge Vick
Developing quantitative tools to inform wildlife management and conservation
In the Anthropocene, humans are transforming ecosystems and impacting biodiversity, and in response, increasingly interventionist management practices (e.g., rewilding, assisted migration, gene drives) are being used to mitigate human impacts. Our research seeks to develop quantitative tools to help better understand the outcomes of these decisions and more optimally manage and conserve wildlife.
Related Publications:
Clark-Wolf, T.J., Hahn, P.G., Brelsford, E., Francois, J., Hayes, N., Larkin, B., Ramsey, P., and Pearson, D.E. 2022. Preventing a series of unfortunate events: using qualitative models to improve conservation. Journal of Applied Ecology, 59 (9): 2322-2332.
Clark, T.J., Vick, B., Newton, J., Marengo, I., and Wakefield, E.D. 2021. A wolf in fox's clothing? Using stable isotopes to quantify ecological replacement. Conservation Letters, 14 (3): e12791.
Management Products:
The Matrix. A user-friendly interface for applying a qualitative tool, the fuzzy interaction web, to answer applied ecology and conservation questions.